Cadaver Synod: Trial of a Dead Pope

About this episode

The episode explores the bizarre historical event known as the Cadaver Synod, where a pope put a deceased predecessor on trial.

What could drive a pope to put a corpse on trial? In 897, Rome staged one of the Middle Ages’ strangest spectacles: the Cadaver Synod, where Pope Stephen VI exhumed his predecessor and put his body on trial. Dr. Eleanor Janega is joined by Jessica Wärnberg to unpack the violent politics behind the outrage, the rival factions at stake, and why this gruesome event still fascinates today. MORE Conclave: Picking Popes Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify Gone Medieval is presented by Dr. Eleanor Janega. It was edited by Amy Haddow, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. All music used is courtesy of Epidemic Sounds. Gone Medieval is a History Hit podcast. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe .   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Eleanor Janega

Guest: Jessica Wärnberg

Topics covered

• Cadaver Synod
• Pope Stephen VI
• Middle Ages
• politics
• exhumation
• historical events

Keywords

• Cadaver Synod
• Pope Stephen VI
• trial of a dead pope
• Middle Ages
• historical politics
• exhumation
• Roman history

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: History Hit

Books & works: Conclave: Picking Popes, Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor

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